The CCCDC presents a check to the Town of Baileyton; left to right are Sen. Garlan Gudger, Baileyton Mayor Johnny Dyar, Rep. Randall Shedd, CCCDC Board Member Bradley Williams and Rep. Corey Harbison (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
CULLMAN – At its meeting in November, the Cullman County Community Development Commission (CCCDC) awarded $91,500 in grant money to eight recipients. On Friday, the CCCDC presented those grant checks at the Cullman County Economic Development office.
Grants recipients included:
- Parkside School, $12,000 for 48 Chromebooks
- Cullman Fire Rescue, $12,000 for chest compression devices
- Town of Baileyton, $7,500 for lighting on walking trails in town park
- Childhaven, $12,000 for educational expenses
- West Point Volunteer Fire Department, $12,000 for two chest compression devices
- Cullman Regional Foundation/Cullman EMS, $12,000 for cardiac monitors and defibrillators
- Bethsadia Volunteer Fire Department, $12,000 for community shelter grant match
- Logan Volunteer Fire Department, $12,000 for community shelter grant match
Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman; Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope; Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview; and CCCDC member Bradley Williams were on-hand to present checks to recipients.
Shedd said, “The significance of us being involved is that we passed the legislation to set this up. I’ve got four counties in my district and two of them have legislative offices that cost about $200,000 a year to operate. We don’t have that here. Thanks to (Cullman County Economic Development Director) Cherrie (Haney) and her staff here for helping us when we need it. If it wasn’t for that and the fact that we don’t spend $200,000 a year on legislative offices, y’all probably wouldn’t have those checks. The community projects are what I like to see.”
Added Harbison, “It’s a tough task to be on that board. I do appreciate you all.”
Maria Stanford, executive director of the Cullman Regional Foundation said she is very grateful for the grant the Foundation received.
Dr. Jim Wright, executive director of Childhaven, shared, “This grant is a blessing. It will go toward our educational program and educational support. Childhaven is one of Cullman’s largest nonprofits and we are almost 100 percent donation funded.”
When asked what Childhaven’s current needs are, Wright replied, “Any need you might think of, we probably have it. Anyone interested in how to help is welcome to call.”
Baileyton Mayor Johnny Dyar thanked the CCCDC saying, “The CCCDC- everyone has a chance with this. It’s not political. It’s the fairest way I know of. I’m blessed, and my town is blessed. Thank you.”
CCCDC board members are appointed by the Cullman area’s state legislative delegation.
CCCDC members are:
- Cherrie Haney – appointed by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman
- Joe Golden – appointed by Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview
- Bradley Williams – appointed by Rep. Corey Harbison, R- Good Hope
- Josh Speakman – appointed by Rep. Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle
- Champ Crocker, chairman – appointed by the legislative delegation
Funding for CCCDC grants comes from taxes- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in lieu of taxes and beer taxes. Grants are capped at $12,000 and are not issued for more than that amount except under extraordinary circumstances, which must be approved by the legislators.
To learn more or to submit a grant application, visit http://co.cullman.al.us/cccdc/cccdc.html.
The commission will meet next on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at Cullman City Hall.
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